The conference will feature 32 international speakers, offer 11 workshops, and facilitate 18 panel discussions.
The Sharjah Animation Conference (SAC), a premier event celebrating the dynamic realm of animation, has revealed its awards programme and opened submissions for the upcoming 2024 event. Set to host its second edition from May 1 to 5 at the Expo Centre Sharjah, SAC invites animators, creatives, and storytellers worldwide to showcase their talents and contribute to the animation industry through two challenges: the “Pitch the Project Award” and the “Book Trailer Award”. Submissions are welcome until April 15, with the awards ceremony scheduled for the conference’s final day, May 5.
Participants vying for the top honours in each award category stand to win prizes and earn recognition bestowed by the Sharjah Animation Conference jury. This recognition can serve as a gateway to future opportunities, industry connections, and global exposure for their talents. The submission deadline for both challenges is April 15, 2024.
The “Pitch the Project Award” beckons local artists, authors, producers, and creative minds to craft a compelling pitch document for a potential animated series targeted at preschoolers or children, themed around the rich cultures and traditions of the Middle East.
Submissions, in PDF format and no more than 15 slides (maximum 20 MB), should feature an intriguing title, an immersive series concept, and detailed character descriptions and settings. Providing an outline of a typical episode’s structure with key plot points will offer judges insight into storytelling prowess. While optional, supplementary materials like character sketches, environment designs, or mood boards can significantly enhance pitches.
The top three finalists will clinch remarkable prizes to propel their animation aspirations. The first-place winner receives a cash prize of AED 9,000 ($2450.65) alongside a Wacom drawing tablet and a professional animation software license for Toonboom Harmony. Second place secures a cash prize of AED 5,000 ($1361.47), a Wacom tablet, and Toonboom’s Storyboard software, while third place bags AED 3,000 ($816.88) and a Toonboom Harmony license, equipping them with tools to refine their animation skills.
This challenge serves as a platform to showcase the depth and beauty of Middle Eastern cultures through animation, seeking innovative ideas that translate into beloved children’s stories, fostering diversity and cultural understanding through captivating entertainment. Submissions can be made via the SAC website.
The “Book Trailer Award” invites individuals, groups, and creative agencies to produce a promotional video for the Kharareef book series by Emirati author Dubai Abulhoul, published by Kalimat Publishing Group. Submissions may focus on a single book or the entire series, with video duration between 30 and 60 seconds, and quality at least 1080p and 30fps.
This award also offers a substantial prize pool, with the winning submission receiving AED 9,000 ($2450.65), a Wacom drawing tablet, and a professional animation software license for Toonboom Harmony. Second and third-place winners receive cash prizes of AED 5,000 ($1361.47) and AED 3,000 ($816.88) respectively, along with accompanying software licenses and hardware.
Celebrating the art of promotional advertising and its ability to encapsulate the essence of a book, this award echoes the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, in elevating the importance of books on the global stage. Further details about the Kharareef book series and submission guidelines can be found on the SAC website.
The Pitch the Project Award will be evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges including Kristof Serrand, Kamel Weiss, Andrea Bozzetto, and Olivier Dumont. The Book Trailer Award’s jury comprises Kristof Serrand, Sandro Cleuzo, Giorgio Scorza, and Abdulaziz Othman, along with insights from Dubai Abulhoul, Mariam AlObeidli, and SAC directors Pietro Pinetti and Khoula Al Mujaini.
Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the second edition of the Sharjah Animation Conference pledges a stimulating experience for all participants. From May 1-5, 2024, the Expo Centre Sharjah will metamorphose into a focal point for industry leaders, artists, and creative minds to convene, collaborate, and shape the future of animation.
The Sharjah Animation Conference will start with a concert by the renowned Florence Pop Orchestra, marking the beginning of five days of creativity and inspiration. The conference will feature 32 international speakers, offering 11 workshops and 18 panel discussions. Additionally, there will be a four-day intensive masterclass in collaboration with experts from Aardman Animations, the Bristol-based British studio known for its highly successful stop-motion and clay animation films.
The conference boasts a lineup featuring experts from industry giants such as Disney, Warner Bros, and Sony. Participants can look forward to an enriching program that includes workshops, dynamic discussion sessions, screenings of acclaimed international films, and diverse exhibitions curated by some of the industry’s most accomplished artists and award-winning legends, including Oscar laureates.
